Biking in Portland

We have spent a lot of days on our bikes, and we love biking down by the riverfront, so we took advantage of a beautiful day to ride around.  It was pretty busy on the Portland side, but over on the east bank, we got some open spaces.  Poor Liam wasn't feeling well, but he was a trooper and pretty good natured about it.

Afterwards, we went over to nearby Cartopia for dinner, which included a little merry go round that had to be powered by hand and a delicious little peanut butter and chocolate pie... and some fun times on the way back to the car.

Enchanted Forest

We took a Friday afternoon and went and visited the Enchanted Forest, just south of Salem.  The first part of the park was the "Storybook Village."  There were lots of different fairy tales and creations of fairy tales.  Jacob was very nervous to go into a lot of the areas - like the 7 dwarfs cave, but it was fun and adventurous to push a stroller up the steep hills!

We rode a few rides, including a little roller coaster and a target shooting ride.  The kids, including the babies got to drive themselves in their own bumper boats.  Kate and Liam LOVED it!!!

Jared got to squeeze into a little train ride with the babies.

Kiddos rode the little ferris wheel on their own.

Here is the castle at the beginning of the park.

We LOVED our afternoon there!

In full bloom

Our rose bush in the bak yard is in full bloom.  The pedals start as a yellow-bright pink color, and as they age, they fade into a light pink and white color.  

 

The result is a multi-color rose bush when it is in full bloom.

Sand in the City

Sand in the City is an amazing exhibit in Portland every year.  We did some Sand in the City and dinner for date night.  Inspiration for our upcoming beach vacation, perhaps!

A keeper

This picture is a keeper, for sure!

Dani caught Jacob and Claire playing along with "Kiss Car Wash."  Ha!

Can't beat a summer Saturday in Oregon

There isn't much better than a summer Saturday in Oregon.  We started with a bike ride on the Banks-Vernonia trail.

The trail is made on an old railroad track.  One of the cool parts of the trail is a long, curving truss bridge through the trees.  It made for a good beginning and end of the bike trail. After we finished our ride, we had a little picnic.

The whole crew had a great time!

 

  

Here's a panoramic of an open field portion of the trail.

After the bike ride, we did some berry picking.  Our little 2-year-olds love to pick berries, too!

We will get to enjoy the spoils of our berry picking for the coming months!

80's night!

It was Ashley's birthday, so we got a group together and went to a 'decades' themed dance club that played music videos to 70's, 80's, 90's and current music.  We decided that we needed to have a theme, so we went 80's style!

After a dinner at Chipotle, we took some pictures.  Chipotle's wall was a perfect backdrop!

When Dani came down and our babysitter saw her, she exclaimed, "I LOVE your outfit!!!"  Dani disclosed that she considered consulting our babysitter to get some of her wardrobe for the occasion - she often wears super bright colors, too.  Dani found a headband and a shirt for Jared with Mr. Rodgers, saying "It's All Good in the Hood."  

The birthday girl, with her fantastic leg warmers, and Jon and his high socks, sleeveless hoodie sweatshirt, women's sunglasses, and incredible wig.

Eric and Tamara were looking awesome as were Jason (and his bling) and Kathy.  So hot!

We totally rocked it!!!

Turning 2!

Hard to believe it, but these two little babies are 2!

While we were in Cody, the babies got to have an early celebration.  Gift opening, of course, was a hit for all of the cousins.  Kate and Liam got gifts from grandma and grandpa - blocks, which they play with all the time, and a pillow pet that makes stars on the ceiling that Kate is afraid of and won't allow to be on at night).  They also opened their new bikes and spent the remainder of the vacation riding on them.

We got them an ice cream cake - Kate and Liam knew the drill of blowing out the candles, though Liam needed a little help from his brother.

Liam finished off his cake and left evidence.

On their actual birthday, the 7/11 babies got to enjoy some free Slurpees on 7/11 (and the rest of the family got freebies, too!).  Babies, of course, loved them.  Yum!

Nana had sent some gifts that babies got to open.  Kate opened 2 books, including her very own copy of Lull-a-Bye Little one (the one we already have has a message to Claire from the author).  Kate exclaimed, "MY LULL-A-BYE!"  She was very excited!

 

Liam was excited to open a big car ramp.  It was a hit with both the 2 year olds and the 7 year olds, who may have actually been even more excited.

After presents, we had some yummy cupcakes.  They were 'confetti' cakes, made with Nerds, frosted, and topped with Nerds.

Liam was a little more seasoned in blowing out candles this time, so he decided he was going to take matters into his own hands...

and got REALLY close

and needed a little help before injury!  Even as close as he got, he still needed assistance blowing out the candles!

Kate and Liam, of course, LOVED it.  Kate didn't want to let go of her sucker (Liam got one, too, but he finished his very quickly).

Once Liam got started, it didn't take him long to finish his dessert off.  Kate stored hers in her cupholder.

Happy birthday to the little 2 year olds!!!